Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson was suitably impressed by Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s North American debut, in which he posted an assist in the Red Wings prospects’ 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars:
“He’s a big body, plays heavy,” Red Wings coach Dan Watson said.
Brandsegg-Nygard, who played for his native Norway in last spring at the World Championships, has more poise than you would expect for a teenager. He has no panic in his approach.
“I thought he had a good game,” Red Wings coach Dan Watson said. “I thought he madeon some really smart plays, especially that one in a third. Good patience coming out of our zone. Made a cross ice pass tape to tape to someone in stride. He’s physical in the right spots.”
Watson had a instant recommendation for Brandsegg-Nygard, based on the idea that he needs to take advantage of his best skill.
“One thing I’d like to see him do is get open, try to get some more opportunities to shoot the puck,” Watson said. “He has an absolute bomb and we have to do a good job or a better job of trying to find him some more opportunities to shoot that puck.”
It’s hard not to notice that Brandsegg-Nygard can be a long-range bomber.
“The first thing that pops in that shot,” teammate Amadeus Lombardi said, “especially off the left side, his one-timer side.”
